In a nutshell This study examined the outcomes of reducing the dosage of methotrexate (Rheumatrex) when it is combined with adalimumab (Humira) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study found that a higher dose of methotrexate lead to a greater decrease in disease activity. Reduction of methotrexate dosage is not supported by these...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The study looked at the association between biological drug treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the risk of melanoma (skin cancer). The authors concluded that there was no increased risk of melanoma in RA patients receiving treatment with biologics. Some background In RA, the immune system attacks the healthy joints...
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In a nutshell The study looked at the safety of multiple treatments of ofatumumab (Arzerra) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The authors concluded that there were no additional risks to patients after multiple treatments with ofatumumab. Some background In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the healthy joints the way it...
Read MoreIn a nutshell The study looked at the long-term risks associated with adalimumab (Humira) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The authors concluded that no additional long-term risks related to serious infections, response to vaccines or birth defects have been found. Some background In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of whole body vibration therapy in females with active rheumatoid arthritis. The authors concluded that this therapy can improve functional ability, preserve bone mass and decrease fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Some background Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can...
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In a nutshell The study looked at the immune response of patients with rheumatoid arthritis to certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) and the effect this has on response to the drug. The authors concluded that patients who develop an immune response to certolizumab pegol have lower levels of the drug in their system after 12 months, and that higher levels...
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In a nutshell This study examined how effective tofacitinib (Xeljanz) is as a treatment for early stage rheumatoid arthritis. The authors concluded that tofacitinib treatment on its own or in conjunction with methotrexate (Trexall) can reduce inflammation and can slow disease progression. Some background Patients with rheumatoid arthritis...
Read MoreIn a nutshell This study looked at the effect of smoking on mortality rates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The authors concluded that overall mortality and cardiovascular and lung cancer mortality rates were higher in current smokers compared to non-smokers. Some background Smoking is a known risk factor for rheumatoid...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the effect of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments on patient reponses to influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. The treatments included in this study were methotrexate (Rheumatrex), rituximab (Rituxan) and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) drugs. Methotrexate and rituximab decreased patient responses to both...
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In a nutshell This study looked at rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients’ preferences when choosing either an infused or an injected biological treatment. It also compared patient reported outcomes (PRO) for treatment with adalimumab (Humira) and etanercept (Enbrel). Some background Biological drugs are becoming a common treatment for RA. These...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the long term effect on health-related quality of life in adults who were diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis as children. The authors concluded that health-related quality of life was reduced in adults who had juvenile idiopathic arthritis as children. Some background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis...
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In a nutshell This study looked at the effectiveness of a combination of certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) and methotrexate (Rheumatrex) in treating early stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The authors concluded that this combination of drugs was considerably effective in RA patients. Some background In RA, the immune system attacks the healthy...
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